"You look incredible." Tate glanced back. His light brown hair was disheveled and his eyes a tad glossy. I didn't look incredible, but he sure as fuck did. His lips were dark pink, and I couldn't help but wonder how good they would feel against mine or what his tongue might taste like.
"So do you, but you always do." I squeezed his hand and released both his and Sam's grasp as I stopped in front of Amy and Lucinda.
My friends turned to me and both gave me their own form of a questioning look.
"Guys, this is Tate and his friend Sam." I motioned toward each of the guys as I introduced them. "Boys, this is Lucinda and Amy."
They all took turns shaking hands and getting to know each other as I moved to the snack table and picked up a few pretzels. Tate moved up beside me and bumped his shoulder against mine.
"I'm sorry." His smile was beautiful and stole my breath. He was the most rugged, unruly-looking guy I'd entertained the idea of dating, and yet there was something about him that left me thinking he was a sensitive, good-guy type.
"No need to be. I was just kidding. I know you’re busy." I shrugged and turned to find him staring intently at me.
"No, I'm just worried." He shrugged and picked up a beer from the big bucket filled with them just beside us.
"Worried? About what?" I took a step closer to him as he turned and touched the side of my face.
"A lot of things." His eyes moved around my face as if he were trying to memorize me.
"Well, stop worrying." I lifted to my toes and started to move in for a kiss, but two hands grabbed me and pulled be back. Dill.
"Come on, lover girl. It's beer bong time. You're such a fucking hot shot on the courts...let's see how you handle these balls." He laughed and grabbed Tate, too. "Come on, man. No need to let this one out of your sights. Half the fucking room is hoping for her attention."
"Oh, please." I rolled my eyes and smiled over at Tate as we were half dragged through the room. "You don't have to do this."
"If you're doing it, I'm in." He reached for my hand and squeezed my fingers softly. "After this, we're getting out of here."
"Yes. Please." I turned as we were shoved into the middl
e of the crowd where the beer pong table was. I didn't usually participate in stupid drinking games, but the energy in the crowd was too much to deny anyone anything.
We played for a bit, laughing as the other had to drink until I was having a hard time staying on my feet. Tate grabbed me and pulled off to the side with a large smile on his lips.
"You're drunk." He smirked.
"Yep. You're not." I slid my hands up his chest and moved a little closer. "You feel good."
"Good. Let's get out of here. I'm still good to drive. Let me see if we can take Sam's truck. The bike is going to leave us half frozen." He ran his hands over my shoulders, and I wanted to move in for another try at a kiss, but it wasn't the time. Besides, I figured I should give him the chance to lean in for the first kiss. But if he didn't, I would, and soon.
"Sounds good." I walked to the kitchen and told Amy about leaving with Tate. She didn't seem too thrilled, but I promised to text her before walking toward the side door where Tate stood waiting for me.
"You ready? I wanted to take you up to the frozen lake by my place. That sound okay?" He bit at his lip as he watched me.
"Yeah. I'd love to get to know you a little better, but if you're an axe murderer, tell me now. I'm in no mood to defend myself tonight." I smirked as he chuckled. I grabbed my coat from the pile on the floor by the door and waited for him to do the same.
"Why do you have to be so damn cute?" He opened the door and touched the small of my back as I walked out into the night.
"Am I cute?" I smiled at him as we made our way to the truck.
"Impossibly so." He helped me get into my side and then walked around to his side.
Butterflies danced around my stomach and lust teased me with the idea of a hot make-out session. I wasn't usually the type of girl to jump in the sack with someone, and I wasn't going to be sleeping with Tate that night, but cuddling up to him sounded divine.
"You like to ice skate?" He maneuvered the truck out of the overcrowded field and turned us the opposite way from town.
"I sure do." I leaned my head back and took a shallow breath. The smell of his cologne was delicious, and I started to wonder if I'd had a little too much to drink.
"Good. I'll take you soon, if you're up for it." He reached out and squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry about not calling. I really wanted to, but my life is too complicated for anything more than a friendship right now."